THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be closing down at least 21 mining companies in the country.
In a press conference, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez announced that the agency had decided to stop the operations of about 21 mining firms because of "indiscriminate" mining.
"It's indiscriminate. You are killing the mountain. What is it all about? What are you doing to our country? Lopez said.
"I'm not against the mining industry but I am against suffering. It is not right that people make a lot of money with the detriment of the community. It’s not right. It’s against the mining law, it’s against the Constitution,” she added.
In Zambales, Lopez said mining companies facing closure were Benguet Corp Nickel Mines Incorporated, Ermane Minerals Incorporated, LNL Mining Incorporated, and Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation.
Mt. Sinai Mining Exploration and Development Corporation, Emir Minerals Corporation, and Techiron Mineral Resources Inc. would also have to stop their operations in Homonhon Island, Eastern Samar.
In Dinagat Islands, AAMPHIL Natural Resources Exploration, Krominco Incorporated, Oriental Vision Mining Philippines Corporation, Libjo Mining Corporation, Sinosteel Philippines HY Mining Corporation, Wellex Mining Corporation, and Oriental Synergy Mining Corporation were ordered to stop mining operations.
Adnama Mining Resources Incorporated, Claver Mineral Development Corporation, Platinum Group Metals Corporation, Hinatuan Mining Corporation, CTP Construction and Mining Corporation, Carrascal Nickel Corporation, and Marcventures Development Corporation located in Surigao del Norte would also be closed down.
Lopez also announced that the DENR suspended the mining operations of OceanaGold Phils Incorporated (Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya), Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (Mankayan, Benguet), Citinickel Mines and Development Corporation (Narra and Española, Palawan), Berong Nickel Corporation (Quezon, Palawan), and Ore Asia Mining and Development Corporation (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan). (SunStar Philippines)